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Current Reading Mood: Urban Fantasy
Quote of the day: “I’d have been dead a long time ago if not for my friends, one of whom had just jumped off the cliff after me.
I’d have been a lot more appreciative if he hadn’t pushed me first." Cassandra Palmer ― Hunt the Moon by Karen Chance

Thursday, October 27, 2011

USA Today Bestselling author Kalayna Price writes the Alex Craft Novels, a new dark urban fantasy series from Roc, and the Novels of Haven from Bell Bridge Books. Her works have been translated into several languages and are available (or have been contracted for release) in the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, France, Poland, Russia, and Germany. Kalayna draws her ideas from the world around her, her studies into ancient mythologies, and her obsession with classic folklore. Her stories contain not only the mystical elements of fantasy, but also a dash of romance, a bit of gritty horror, some humor, and a large serving of mystery. Kalayna is a member of SFWA and RWA, and an avid hula-hoop dancer who has been known light her hoop on fire. To find out more, please visit her at www.kalayna.com

Welcome Alex! I'm glad you could stop by.

What are your plans for Halloween?

AC- Grave Witches aren’t allowed to work on Halloween, and for good reason. The veil between the living and the dead is thinnest on All-Hallows-Eve and All-Saints-Day, so I tend to spend both days safely locked behind my wards. Besides, even if it wasn’t dangerous and illegal, most of the people who try to retain my services on Halloween are looking to scare their guests. Raising shades isn’t a party trick.

So you can speak to the dead? How old were you the first time you saw a ghost?

AC-Ghosts aren’t all that common. It takes someone truly stubborn or a mistake to keep a soul from moving on. That said, there are always a couple stuck inside graveyards so the first time I saw one was at my mother’s funeral when I was five. Honestly though, by that point I’d already physically accosted Death himself (okay, I hurled my mother’s medical chart at him), so a ghost wasn’t terribly impressive.

When we think of "Death", we think of the grim reaper. A skeleton with hooded cloak with his scythe. What's Death really like?

AC-He always chuckles at that image—especially around Halloween when it’s so prevalent. I’ve known Death for nineteen years, and I’ve yet to see him in a cloak or wielding a scythe. He’s more a dark tee-shirt and faded jeans type guy. And as far as the skeleton thing, I can assure you that there is absolutely nothing skeletal about his physique.

It sounds like you two are friends, or maybe even more than friends?

AC-I, uh . . . we’re just friends. I mean, recently he’s been stopping by more often, but that’s just because he’s got a thing for coffee. If you’re interested, Death drinks his coffee with cream, no sugar.

And what about Detective Falin Andrews? How would you describe him?

AC-Let’s see, infuriating? Bossy? Secretive? Okay, and I guess I have to admit he’s sexy as hell and rather sweet when he wants to be. But really, the man has a seriously irritating habit of injecting himself into my business and my life.

What’s the funniest/oddest thing a ghost has ever said to you?

AC – Well, like I said earlier, ghosts are a rather rare anomaly and most are either terribly morose or angry and are generally unpleasant to deal with. Usually I interact with shades, which are the stored memories of the deceased given form by grave magic. Being just memories without will or personality, shades aren’t exactly witty. Working with the police on murder cases has certainly increased the number of horrific events I’ve heard shades describe. As far as actual ghosts, the only one I’ve spent any amount of time with is Roy, and odd is an understatement for my self-appointed ghostly sidekick.

Back to Halloween.

Do you have any favorite Halloween movies?

AC- Any ‘scary’ movie from before the Magical Awakening tends to be fun—or at least funny—to watch.

What's your favorite Halloween Candy?

AC- Well, I don’t know that it counts as Halloween candy, but I love dark chocolate. The good stuff, with a lot of cacao—probably not something most people give out to trick-or-treaters.

Thanks for stopping by Alex! You rock!

AC-Thanks for having me. It’s been fun.

Alex Craft is the lead character in a new series by USA Today Bestselling author, Kalayna Price. Alex’s story starts in GRAVE WITCH with a case involving a sexy reaper, a dark cop, and a ghost-silencing killer that has more than her rent on the line—it may cost her soul. Alex’s story continues in Price’s newest release, GRAVE DANCE.